Nick Swisher heads 'home' to Cleveland

BASEBALL

Updated 11:49 pm, Sunday, December 23, 2012

Two people familiar with the negotiations said Swisher has agreed to a $56 million, four-year contract with the Indians, who used the free-agent outfielder's deep Ohio connections to persuade him to join the club. The people spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because Swisher must take a physical before the deal can be finalized. The Indians are expected to announce Swisher's signing after Christmas, one of the people said.

The Indians will not comment until Swisher completes his physical.

"Wow! What a crazy few weeks," Swisher said on Twitter. "Hey Cleveland! Are you ready? Because I'm coming home!"

Swisher's deal includes a $14 million option for 2017 that could become guaranteed based on plate appearances the previous year.

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis was excited about the club's newest addition.

"Welcome to the Tribe@nickswisher, pumped to get ya," Kipnis tweeted.

Swisher, 32, spent the last four seasons with the New York Yankees, taking advantage of the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium. A switch-hitter, Swisher hit .272 this season with 24 homers and 93 RBIs.

Swisher will fill an outfield hole for the Indians, who traded Shin-Soo Choo to Cincinnati. Swisher will play right, with recently acquired Drew Stubbs likely taking the job in center with Michael Brantley shifting from center to left field.

Swisher, who was born in Columbus and played at Ohio State, visited the Indians last week. The club used Swisher's ties with the Buckeyes to convince him to join a team that won just 68 games last season following a historic collapse in August.

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